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Iowa Online AP Academy

Bright students are often ready for subject material beyond what is typical for their grade, but it is not always feasible for small or rural schools to offer advanced classes. The Iowa Online AP® Academy (IOAPA) provides free access to nearly 30 online advanced courses for Iowa students who do not have access to these courses in their schools.

About the Program

Do you have a middle school student ready for Algebra II or a high school student capable of tackling college-level English? IOAPA classes include Advanced Placement® courses for high school students and high school-level courses for eligible middle school students. IOAPA students are typically talented and gifted students from rural schools, but any eligible Iowa student may register.

Enrollment Period: April 1 April 15 - August 14, 2020 (opening date changed due to school closures)

Last day to drop without a fee: September 14, 2020

Schools are eligible to utilize a particular IOAPA course if they are unable to offer that course on-site. Courses are limited to six students per class at each school. For a full list of policies and requirements see our policy guide.

High school students should be able to handle the academic rigor of a college-level course, as well as the self-discipline and motivation necessary for an online course. Additionally, students should not be over-committed in their curricular and/or extracurricular activities. Review suggested prerequisites listed in the course catalog and use pre-tests for AP Calculus AB, AP Chemistry, AP Physics B, and AP Statistics.

Middle school students are eligible if they 1) score at the 90th percentile or above on a grade-level test (e.g. Iowa Assessments or ISASP) AND 2) score at the 50th percentile or higher on an above-level test (e.g., I-Excel for 4th-6th-graders or the ACT for 7th-9th-graders.) In other words, middle school students should be capable of handling coursework at the level of an average student two or three years older. They should also have or be capable of developing the self-discipline and motivation necessary for an online course. For detailed information about middle school student eligibility, see our middle school recommendations guide.

Creative Writing (Grades 6-8 Only)

1-Semester Course
Middle SchoolCourse Content Provided by Apex

Creative Writing is an English elective course that focuses on the exploration of short fiction and poetry, culminating in a written portfolio that includes one revised short story and three to five polished poems.

Geometry (Honors) (Grades 6-8 Only)

Introduction to Computer Science (Grades 6-9 Only) (Full-Year)

2-Semester Course
Middle SchoolCourse Content Provided by Edhesive

An introductory course for students brand new to programming that teaches the foundations of computer science. This course prepares students for AP Computer Science A and AP Computer Science Principles. The course is available either as a single semester or a full-year course.

Introduction to Computer Science (Grades 6-9 Only) (One-Semester)

1-Semester Course
Middle SchoolCourse Content Provided by Edhesive

An introductory course for students brand new to programming that teaches the foundations of computer science. This course prepares students for AP Computer Science A and AP Computer Science Principles. The course is available either as a single semester or a full-year course.

Precalculus (Honors) (Grades 6-8 Only)

2-Semester Course
Middle SchoolCourse Content Provided by Apex

Precalculus is a comprehensive course that weaves together previous study of algebra, geometry, and functions into a preparatory course for calculus. The course focuses on the mastery of critical skills and exposure to new skills necessary for success in subsequent math courses.

Probability and Statistics (Grades 6-8 Only)

2-Semester Course
Middle SchoolCourse Content Provided by Apex

Probability and Statistics provides a curriculum focused on understanding key data analysis and probabilistic concepts, calculations, and relevance to real-world applications. We recommend (but don't require) that students have access to a graphing calculator and have taken Algebra I before this class.

AP Chemistry

AP Computer Science A (Java)

2-Semester Course
High SchoolCourse Content Provided by Edhesive

Students will learn to design and implement computer programs that solve problems relevant to today’s society, including art, media, and engineering. Please note that this class requires a bit more mentor involvement than some other classes. A computer science background is helpful but not required.

AP Computer Science Principles

2-Semester Course
High SchoolCourse Content Provided by Edhesive

AP Computer Science Principles asks students to explore the central ideas of computer science. Please note there is a recommended (not required) minimum of 2 students per school and that mentors lead/teach the majority of this class offline. Mentors should be qualified to do so; a computer science background is recommended. Email IOAPA@belinblank.org to request enrollment in this class.

AP English Literature and Composition

AP Environmental Science

2-Semester Course
High SchoolCourse Content Provided by Apex

AP Environmental Science provides students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world. Students perform hands-on and virtual labs and projects.

AP Macroeconomics

1-Semester Course
High SchoolCourse Content Provided by Apex

AP Macroeconomics students learn why and how the world economy can change from month to month, how to identify trends in our economy, and how to use those trends to develop performance measures and predictors of economic growth or decline.

Being Successful

Taking advanced coursework is an exciting opportunity. Planning ahead and making an honest assessment of the amount of time you are prepared to spend on your IOAPA courses will help you be successful. Here are some resources that may help students, mentors, and schools have a more effective experience.

How to Register

Registration is a 4-step process:

1. Find eligible students.

If your students are 6th-8th graders, the first step is to find the students who are ready for additional challenge, and register for I-Excel or ACT above-level testing. If your students are 9th-12th graders, continue to step 2.

2. Register your school with IOAPA and assign a site coordinator and mentor

The first step is for principals to register their schools on our website (below). As part of this step, schools agree to program requirements and assign a site coordinator and a mentor. Be sure to fill out and send in the Mentor Designation Form for this school year (also available in Appendix A of the Mentor Handbook). This form is what enables mentors to receive a stipend.

For spring semester courses, if a school has already registered during the current academic year: Schools that have already registered for the current academic year will be redirected to step 2 (student nomination).

3. Nominate the student taking IOAPA course(s)

Completing the school registration page sends the principal an automated email with a link in it to nominate the student. The principal either needs to complete the nomination or forward the link to the site coordinator or mentor to complete.

4. Confirm that the student has self-enrolled in the course

Once the student has been nominated, an email will be automatically sent to the student to enroll himself/herself in the actual course. Be sure to have students check their junk mail folders, as the automated emails sometimes get filtered there. Students should complete this step and be sure to click submit when they’re done.

Register Your School

After You've Registered

Once you have registered with the Iowa Online AP Academy, be sure to complete all of the College Board requirements, as well. Then, make sure you have all the materials you'll need and familiarize yourself with using the courses.

College Board Requirements for Schools

Encourage high school students to take the AP exam, and order all AP Exams. For courses that begin before November 15, the deadline to order is November 15. For courses that begin after November 15, the deadline to order is March 13. Please note that these deadlines are different from previous years.

Complete the AP Course Audit process for Online/Distance Learning courses by January 31 in order to be able to label courses as "AP" on students' transcripts.